A freezing gust of wind whipped past his pale fingers. Although his parents left when he was an infant, he still felt a strange sense of longing for them without fully understanding why. Thankfully, he had Lapis, his older sister, who was the only person he knew and the only one who truly cared for him.

The blue-haired boy snapped out of his reverie and trudged through the thick snow, which lightly crunched beneath his black winter boots. 

The 8-year-old boy was wearing a thick, furry brown coat and dirty brown trousers which hung loosely on his short, skinny frame. Catching his attention, a pale girl around 14 years old, with dark blue hair, wearing a tattered sweater and baggy blue pants, beckoned him inside.

"Hey, Skye! get in here, it's freezing!" 

The boy ran over to her and looked up at the girl, who then ushered him inside the house. Actually, it was more like an abandoned shack. Judging by the boarded-up windows, creaky floorboards, and a door that looked like it was about to fall off. Better be grateful, this is the best a couple of parentless children could get!

The older sister, Lapis, noticed Skye was looking a little depressed today, so he sat them down on the floor.

"I got some bread today, "She handed him two slices of cold bread. "And look, a cookie!" 

Skye cracked a smile. "Thanks." 

She rubbed his head vigorously, "No problem! Now eat up before you're just bones!"

"Aren't I already?"

Lapis' smile faded a bit. "Don't say that." 

He shrugged and ate his first slice of bread.

"Seriously, I bet you'll grow big and strong someday!" She snorted as she took a bite from his other piece of bread.

"Yeah, yeah, now go eat your own food!"

"Hey! You do know I'm the one who earned this fair and square!"

"Well...you're just gonna have to earn it again!" Skye stood up and ran off with the bread and cookie.

"Hey!!"

With its chill in the air, the old shack could have easily been a dreary place. But the joyous sounds of laughter and giggles had the power to transform it into a cosy and comforting space.

"Catch me if you ca-

"Skye"

The boy suddenly became alert and focused. The weak and soft voice appeared to have brought him back to reality. He looked up to see his once-lavish sister before him, now pale and deathly-looking.

"Hm?"

"I don't think I'm going to make it... I feel terrible"

A wave of despair washed over Skye as he gazed down at his sister, who was suffering from an unknown illness triggered by a poisonous flower. Despite his desperate pleas, no one in the kingdom was willing to come forward and assist him, or even believed that a cure existed. Skye felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness and wished there was something he could do to ease his sister's pain and save her life.

With a defeated expression, he kneeled beside the makeshift bed, consisting of a table with a pillow and a thin blanket.

He sat there, lost in thought. Every time he encountered a problem, he felt like giving up. He believed that he was nothing but a loser, incapable of accomplishing anything in his life. The weight of his powerlessness bore down on him, crushing him with a sense of misery. He didn't see a way out of this cycle of vanquishment and worthlessness, and it made him feel empty inside.

"I'm sorry, Lapis. I promise I'll find a cure."

"Don't... there is no cure."

"Well, I'll just have to find one."

"Skye..."

"I'm sick of being a weakling, Lapis!" Skye stood up in frustration.

"I'm 17! I'm sure I could just try to find a cure, any cure! I don't care what I have to do to get it, I really don't. I need to do this... for you, Lapis!" 

Lapis attempted to sit up but failed, so she settled in her previous position and glared at him. "No... I-I..." 

She sighed.

"Just be safe, okay?"

Skye nodded and hugged his sister, gently.

"Don't you worry a bit."

On the following day, the boy was determined to rescue his sister. He felt excited about having a purpose to travel, but he was broke. Skye looked at the few coins Lapis had saved up, realizing that they would be enough for only a little food and perhaps an additional piece of clothing.

In response to the situation at hand, Skye made a quick decision to gather some essentials. With care and attention, Skye retrieved an old backpack from beneath the table and thoughtfully filled it with necessary items such as food, a butter knife, matches, and a pencil.

"I think I'm ready."